Jack Daniel's Brownies With Jack Daniel's Frosting

These are not your everyday brownies.  They are incredible even without the whiskey.  You might just want to add the Jack Daniel's.

First of all you are going to need a small square pan.  I think they are about 8 or 9 inches square.  I bought the one below from Dollar Tree for a pack of 2.  I've  tried to double the recipe and it doesn't come out quite as well.  If you decide to make more than 1 batch, I also recommend not reusing the pan without rinsing out all the chocolate.

Brownie Ingredients
        3/4 cup flour
        1/2 teaspoon baking soda
        1/2 teaspoon salt
        1/2 cup sugar ( or more if desired, for a sweeter taste)
        1/3 cup Crisco shortening
        2 tablespoons water
        1 (6 ounce) packages chocolate chips
        1 teaspoon vanilla
        2 eggs
        1/2 cup chopped walnuts
        1/3-1/2 cup Jack Daniels Whiskey ( or more or less to suit taste)

Frosting Ingredients
        1 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
        1/4 cup unsalted butter
        2 cups powdered sugar
        3 tablespoons half-and-half
        1 tablespoon Jack Daniels Whiskey
        1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

When I make these, I use 1/2 cup.  You could easily substitute Jack Daniel's for another liquor, be it a bourbon, whiskey or Bailey's.  They would all work perfectly.

Step 1: Spray Your Baking Pan

Simple enough.  No need for to much of an explanation here except that if you skip this step, you waste brownie.

To get prepped for how quick this is to make, get a separate bowl and place the flour, salt & baking soda.

It is much cheaper to buy whole walnuts and break them up yourself.  Prepare this ahead of time as well and place into another bowl.

Step 2: Heating and Mixing

Pre-heat your oven to 350°F.

In a saucepan/pot, melt the butter on very low heat.  I'd say just above the low setting, although every stove is different.  On mine I must use medium low or low since it runs cooler.  You do not want the butter boiling tho.

Once the butter is melted, add the shortening and water (this is why you do not want the butter boiling).  Mix well.

Once all this is mixed and smooth, add the chocolate chips & vanilla and mix well.

Add 1 egg at a time and beat until smooth.  Add in flour/salt/baking soda and mix well.  Stir in walnuts.

Transfer your mix to the baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.  Use a toothpick to test if there is anything sticking to it.  If it comes out clean, the brownies are cooked.

Step 3: Spiking the Brownies

As soon as this comes out of the oven (while hot) use a fork poke holes all over this.  Don't worry you won't see these after its frosted.  Making sure the edges have quite a few.

Drizzle the Jack Daniel's all over.  Keep in mind that the center tends to sink a little below the rest so you will want to make sure the edges get covered well.  Not only is this to add flavor, but it makes the brownies incredibly moist.

Step 4: Making the Frosting

While the brownies are still hot go ahead and make the frosting.

Again, this is very quick so you want to prep a bit before actually heating the stove.  In a bowl combine the half-and-half, Jack Daniel's whiskey & vanilla.  Mix the half-and-half/Jack Daniel's/vanilla mixture  with powder sugar until there are no chunks and it is smooth.

Mix well and set to the side.

In a sauce pan melt the butter.  You will not want this on very hot at all, so make sure it is on a low setting.  Once the butter is melted add the chocolate and mix well until smooth.

Place the mixture with the rest of the ingredients in the pan and mix well until very smooth.

Step 5: Apply Frosting

Pour the frosting on the still hot brownies.  Use a Spoonula to scrape the pan out so that you get all the frosting out of the pan.

Mixture will be runny, but stiffens as it cools.

Spread evenly as possible.  ENJOY!